COMPARTMENT DEFINING APPARATUS

Abstract: Apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments in a recess such as a case or drawer, comprises at least two wall elements (11) and an element (14) by which the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall element. At least one of the interconnecting elements and the wall elements includes at least one formation (13a) which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a direction substantially parallel to the said mating edge and which resist separation of the wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the said mating edge.

Description: COMPA TMENT DEFINING APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments . It is commonly required to create separated compartments, for example so that articles can be maintained separate from one another, or so that movement of articles can be restricted, or so that articles can be protected when the compartments are defined by resilient material. Such compartments might be created in a recess, for example, in a case such as a brief case or other specialised equipment case, in a drawer in a piece of furniture, or on a surface such as on a table top, and can be free-standing. Apparatus used to form compartments can also be used as a toy, for example for use by children. Such a toy can be used to make buildings or to divide a space for example for storage of playthings. It might also be used as a puzzle. The present invention provides a technique for creating separated compartments using wall elements and an inter¬ connection element, which can be slid onto the wall elements in a direction other than the direction in which the wall elements tend to move apart when in use. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments, which comprises at least two wall elements and an element by which the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall element, at least one of the interconnecting element and the wall elements including at lease one formation which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a direction substantially parallel to the said mating edge and which resist separation of the wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the said mating edge. In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for defining two or more separated compartments in a substantially- rigid recess, comprising two or more substantially rigid wall elements arranged substantially at right angles to one another, and means for interconnecting the said rigid wall elements at their junctions with one another. The apparatus of the invention has the advantage that a rigid structure comprising a plurality of separated compartments can be created conveniently, and that the configuration of the compartments can be selected and then altered by changing the arrangement of the wall and interconnecting elements. The compartments can have any of a number of configurations, available from a suitable selection of elements . The compartments might be, for example, square or rectangular. They might be defined by wall elements which are not necessarily perpendicular to one another. A compartment might be a portion of a larger area, for example a portion of a rectangle. When a compartment is a portion of a larger area, it might be defined by more than one wall element that does not define the larger area, and such additional wall elements can be connected to one another, not necessarily perpendicularly. The formation which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements can comprise a rib provided on one of the interconnecting element and a wall element, which extends in use substantially parallel to the said mating edge. For example, the interconnecting element might have a plurality of ribs formed in it which engage the surface of the wall element. The interconnecting element can define a channel in which an edge of a wall element can be received, and the channel can have a pair of opposed rib members towards its open edge. The ribs by which the wall and interconnecting element engage one another can have any of a number of configurations. Fox- example, their configuration can be selected to correspond with that of corresponding channels in which they are to be received. They can be generally square (which includes rectangular) , or generally rounded, in cross-section. It can be appropriate for them to have a generally pointed configuration when viewed in cross-section. This can be particularly appropriate when the apparatus does not include grooves into which the ribs are to be received and the ribs are to engage resilient material since the ribs can establish their own grooves as the wall element is slid into the inter¬ connecting element. Preferably, the apparatus includes a groove on one of the interconnecting element and the wall element to receive a corresponding rib on the other of the interconnecting element and the wall element . There may be a series of grooves provided on one of the interconnecting element and the wall element in an array. This has the advantage that a series of positions can be provided in which the interconnecting and wall elements can engage one another. The elements can engage one another by means of more than one of the grooves when more than one are provided. This has the advantage of providing a more secure connection between the two elements. It can be preferred for the wall element to have grooves formed in it on opposite sides thereof, the interconnecting element providing a channel and a pair of opposed rib members which fit into respective grooves in the wall element when the wall element is received in the channel . The rib members can be located at or towards the edge of the channel at the edge of the interconnecting element . Preferably, the rib members are located directly opposite to one another on opposite sides of the channel. The rib members will then be received in a pair of channels, one on each side of the wall element. Preferably, the wall element has a plurality of the said grooves formed in it, in a substantially uniform array, on opposite sides of the element . The formations that are provided for engagement of the wall and connecting elements can be provided on more than one axis. For example, formations can be provided to enable connections to be made to a wall element, along two substantially perpendicular axes, for example to provide a base or lid element, and one or more perpendicular wall elements. It can be preferred for the material of the surfaces of the wall element to be less rigid than the material of the interconnecting element where it engages the said surfaces . Preferably, the surface of one of the interconnecting element and the wall element which engages the other of the said elements is formed from a resiliently deformable material . This can facilitate the formation of a secure connection between the wall and interconnecting elements when the interconnecting element engages the wall element. Furthermore, and significantly, the use of a resilient material for the surface of the wall element has the advantage that the separated compartment can be used to protect articles which are fragile, restricting their movement and providing a cushioning effect to reduce or eliminate impact damage. Accordingly, it is preferred that the wall element includes a surface layer of a resiliently deformable material, especially a deformable foam. Whether or not a deformable material is used, the wall element can have a rigid core. For example, the wall element can include a core formed from a polyolefin such as poly¬ ethylene or polypropylene, or a polystyrene or a polycarbonate. The core can be formed by extrusion. It can be convenient for the core of the wall element to have a hollow box section, and such an element can conveniently be formed by extrusion. A core with a box section has the advantage that it is light weight and has good physical properties in terms of tensile strength and rigidity. Moreover, it can easily be cut to size when it is cut along a line between parallel webs. In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments, which comprises at least two wall elements which include a surface layer of a resiliently deformable material, and an element by which the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall element, at least one of the interconnecting element and the wall elements including at least one formation which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a direction substantially parallel to the said mating edge and which resist separation of the wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the said mating edge. The wall thickness of the wall elements is preferably at least about 5 mm, more preferably at least about 10 mm, for example at least about 15 mm. When the wall elements comprise a core and resiliently deformable material, it can be preferred for the thickness of the core to be less than about one half of the thickness of the wall element and the remainder of the thickness to comprise the resiliently deformable material . The interconnecting element can be used to connect wall elements in any of a number of configurations. For example, it can be used to connect two, three, four or more elements. Elements that are connected can be connected substantially perpendicular to one another, for example in an L-shaped, T- shaped, or X-shaped configuration. Wall elements can be connected substantially in-line with one another. An interconnecting element can engage a wall element at the edge of a wall element where that edge abuts another wall element. An interconnecting element can engage a wall element at a point along its length between its two edges, and then engage another wall element at its edge where that edge abuts the first element at the said point along its length. Accordingly, a T-shaped connection can be made by joining one wall element to one other element at a point between its ends, and an X-shaped connection can be made by joining two wall elements to one other element, again at a point between its ends . It can be appropriate for some applications for the height of the wall element is approximately equal to the height of the interconnecting element which is to engage it. It can be preferred in this arrangement to include clips to engage opposite sides of the interconnecting element at its base after it has been positioned over a wall element to reduce or to eliminate any tendency of the sides to splay outwardly. Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus can include interconnecting elements to be located at the top and bottom edges respectively of the edge of a wall element that is to be connected to another wall element . This has the advantage that a wall element can be trimmed to a desired height, and the interconnecting element will still fit the wall element without also needing to be trimmed. The apparatus of the invention can be used to divide a space into compartments and has particular advantage when articles to be stored in the compartments are fragile. Examples of fragile articles which can be stored in the compartments include cameras and related camera equipment, computer and related computer equipment, electronic components and parts thereof, and medical supplies and equipment . The apparatus of the invention can also be used as a toy, for example as a construction set which might be played with by children, for example construct a fort. It might be incor¬ porated into a puzzle such as might be used by adults or children. The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a wall element for use in the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a view from below of two a pair of wall elements of the type shown in Figure 1 with their end regions interconnected by an interconnecting element; Figure 3 is a view from below of an interconnecting element connecting an end of one wall element to another wall element in a mid-length region; Figure 4 is a view from below of an interconnecting element connecting ends of two wall elements to another wall element in a mid-length region; Figure 5 is an isometric view of an interconnecting element of the type shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a piece of rigid hand luggage with compartments formed therein in accordance with the invention; and Figures 7 and 8 is a set of six sectional elevations through interconnecting elements which can be used in the apparatus of the invention to connect wall elements in (a) X-shaped, (b) T-shaped, and (c) L-shaped configurations respectively, with all views being taken from the base and looking towards the top of the container. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a wall element 11 which comprises a substantially rigid wall element 12, having a height, as viewed in Figure 1, substantially equal to, or slightly less than, the depth of the recess compartment (such as suitcase, briefcase, camera or other equipment case, or drawer) with which the wall element is to engage, The rigid wall element 12 comprises a layer 13 of resilient material, Figure 1, and the outwardly facing external major faces of the layer 13, when unstressed, lie in planes about 19 mm apart. The layer 13 has grooves or recesses 13a formed therein, so as to lie at right angles to the length direction of the wall 11, the recesses 13a have a width and a depth in the region of 2 mm, the first recess 13a is spaced about 19 mm from the end of the wall element 11, and the succeeding recesses 13a are equally spaced apart with a spacing in the region of about 19 mm. The wall element 11 includes a core of a material that is more rigid than the foam material provided in its surface. The core can be provided by a fibrous material such as a paper or cardboard, or wood (especially a plywood) . Preferably, the core comprises a polymeric material such as polyethylene, and is formed by extrusion with a hollow box section cross-section. Figure 2 shows apparatus in which two division walls 11 are arranged at right angles, and secured together by an interconnecting element 14 which comprises a rigid member, for example a moulded plastics member. As shown in Figure 5, the element 14 defines two slots A and B, the planes of the slots A and B being at right angles, and the width of the slots A and B being about 19 mm. The slot A is defined by two parallel wall elements 15 and 16, and at their free ends the wall sections 15 and 16 define inwardly directed lugs 15a and 16a. The lugs 15a and 16a are spaced 19 mm from the base or root of the slot A and the inwardly directed lugs 15a and 16a each has a length, in the height direction of the slot A as viewed in Figure 5, equal to 2 mm and the lugs 15a, 16a are each inwardly directed towards one another by an amount of 2 mm. Thus, one end region of a wall element 11, such as that shown in Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot A, the end of the wall section 11 engages the base of the recess A, the lugs 15a and 16a engage in the first recesses 13a spaced from the end of the wall 11 and, thereby, the wall 11 and the interconnecting element 14 are intimately locked together. In like manner the slot B is defined by two parallel wall section 17 and 18, which include inwardly directed lugs 17a and 18a respectively and, a wall element 11, such as of the type shown in Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot B so that the end of the element 11 engages the root or base of the slot B and the lugs 17a and 18a engage in the recesses 13a adjacent the end of the wall element 11. Thus, the second wall element 11 is intimately and rigidly connected with the interconnecting element 14. The interconnecting element 14 may be simply made as a length of an extrusion, having a cross-section as illustrated in Figure 2, but preferably that end of the interconnecting element 14 to form the top of the element 14 when the element 14 is inserted into a recess to be compartmented may be bridged, as illustrated by reference 14a in Figure 5, so that the end portion of the wall section 11 inserted into the slot A will have its upper part, as viewed in Figure 1, housed within the interconnecting element 14. Thus, using the interconnecting element illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the adjacent ends of two wall section 11 arranged at right angles to one another can be rigidly interconnected by the interconnecting element 14 and the wall elements are locked with the interconnecting element 14 by the engagement of the lugs 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a in the respective first recesses 13a from the respective adjacent ends of the respective wall elements . In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 an interconnecting element 20 is defined by two substantially parallel wall elements 21 and 22 and the wall elements 21 and 22 present inwardly directed lugs 21a, 22a respectively, the lugs being aligned transverse to the direction of the slot formed by the wall elements 21 and 22, and the lugs 21a and 22b respectively being spaced apart by about 19 mm and having a width and depth of about 2 mm. Thus, with the arrangement described this far, a mid-length region of a division wall 11 can be inserted into the slot defined between the wall elements 21 and 22, with the respective lugs 21a and 22a engaged in recesses 13a of the wall section 11. At that end of the interconnecting element 20 intended to be remote from the base of the recess, the wall elements 21 and 22 are interconnected by a bridge, similar to the bridge shown in Figure 5, so that the walls 21 and 22 are rigidly connected to one another. The wall 21 also presents at its mid-length region two generally parallel wall sections 23 and 24, the walls 23 and 24 extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the slot defined by the wall section 21 and 22, the internal surfaces of the wall sections 23 and 24 are spaced apart some 19 mm and, spaced from the base or root of the slot defined by the wall sections 23 and 24 the wall section 23 and 24 present inwardly directed lugs 23a and 24a, located about 19 mm from the base of the slot. The lugs 23a and 24a project inwardly some 2 mm and have a width of some 2 mm so that an end region of a division wall 11 can be inserted between the wall sections 23 and 24, with the end of the wall 11 engaged with the base of the slot defined by walls 23 and 24 and with the lugs 23a and 24a engaged in the first recess 13a spaced from the end of the wall 11. Thus, with this arrangement of the interconnecting element, the element can be applied to a first wall element 11 at any location along its length, , and interconnected with an end region of a wall element 11 at right angles thereto. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, an interconnecting element 30 includes two parallel wall sections 31 and 32, whose internally facing surfaces are spaced apart by about 19 mm. Along their internal surfaces the walls 31 and 32 present inwardly directed lugs 31a and 32a respectively, the lugs being spaced apart by about 19 mm and having a depth and width of about 2 mm. Thus, a wall element 11, similar to the element 11 of Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot defined between the walls 31 and 32 at any location along the length of the wall element 11, with the lugs 31a and 32a engaging in grooves 13a in that section of the wall 11 between the walls 31 and 32. The walls 31 and 32 are interconnected, as for example by a bridge arrangement which connects the upper end regions of walls 31 and 32, similar to the manner shown and described with respect to Figure 5. The wall 31 presents two wall sections 33 and 34, which extend from the wall section 31 at rights angles to the plane of the slot defined by the wall section 31 and 32, the internal faces of the wall sections 33 and 34 are spaced apart by some 19 mm and, 19 mm from the root of the slot defined by the wall section 33 and 34 the said wall sections 33 and 34 present inwardly directed lugs 33a and 34a, each lug having a width of 2 mm and a depth of 22, and whereupon an end region of a wall 11 can be inserted between the walls 33 and 34, with the end of the wall 11 engaging the root of the slot defined by walls 33 and 34 and with the lugs 33a and 34a engaged in the first recesses 13a spaced from the end of the wall 11. Thus, a wall section 11 inserted into the gap defined by the walls 33 and 34 is rigidly supported at right angles to the plane of the slot passing through the element 30. In like manner the wall 32 presents two walls 35 and 36, extending at right angles to the slot defined between the walls 31 and 32, and the walls 35 and 36 are spaced apart some 19 mm and present inwardly directed lugs 35a and 36a, each having a width and depth of 2 mm, so that an end region of a third wall 11 can be inserted between the walls 35 and 36, with the end of the third wall section 11 abutting the root of the groove or slot defined by the wall sections 35 and 36, and with the lugs 35a and 36a engaged in the first recess 13a spaced from the end of the third wall 11. Thus, with the interconnecting element 30, said element can be placed at any location along the length of a wall element 11 and can then support two wall sections lying in a common plane at right angles to the plane of the wall section engaged between the walls 31 and 32. Figure 6 shows, in prospective view, a rigid piece of hand luggage comprising a major part 41, including a apparatus in accordance with the invention, and a lid part 42. The lid part 42 is hingedly connected to the main part 41, the main part 41 includes a handle 43, and the main part 41 and the lid 42 include an interconnecting locking arrangement, generally defined by reference 44. The substantially rigid recess defined by the major part 41 has provided therein four side walls 45, 46, 47 and 48, similar " to the wall 11 held at their corners by interconnecting devices such as the device shown in Figures 2 and 5, so as to form a rigid rectangular frame fitting snugly into the rigid recess defined by the part 41. The case also includes an internal wall 49, which extends from side to side of the recess parallel to the face of the case part 41 including the handle 43, and at its two ends the wall 49 is interconnected with the walls 46 and 48 by interconnecting elements, similar to the elements 20 illustrated in Figure 3. Two wall elements 50 and 51 extend between the wall section 49 and the wall section 47 and are connected at their ends adjacent the wall section 49 by interconnecting elements, substantially identical with the element 20 illustrated in Figure 3, and at their ends adjacent the wall 47 said walls 50 and 51 are interconnected with the wall 47 by interconnecting elements, again similar to the element 20 shown in Figure 3. Thus, the wall elements 49, 50 and 51 define three separated compartments within the substantially rigid recess. A wall section 53 has one of its ends connected to the wall section 49, again by an interconnecting element similar to the element 20, a wall 52 has one of its ends interconnected with the wall 48, again by an element similar to the element 21, and the free ends of the wall sections 52 and 53 are interconnected by a interconnecting element, similar to the element 14 illustrated in Figure 2, and thus the walls 52 and 53 define a third compartment within the substantially rigid recess . A wall section 54 extends from the wall 53 to the wall 46, again with its ends interconnected with the walls 53 and 46 by interconnecting elements substantially similar to the element 20 illustrated in Figure 3, and thus the wall 54 defines a fourth compartment within the substantially rigid recess . A further wall section 55 extends from the wall 45 to the wall 52 and against has it ends connected to the wall 45 and the wall 52 by interconnecting elements substantially identical to the element 20 illustrated in Figure 2. It will now be seen that, by selecting the walls, similar to the wall 11, of the desired lengths the substantially rigid recess in the case part 41 can be arranged to have any number, and any specific sizes, of compartments defined within the substantially rigid recess and the wall sections can be rigidly interconnected using the interconnecting elements, such as the elements 14, 20 and 31 illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The wall elements 11, being covered with a foam material, afford protection for apparatus, such as camera parts, located individually in the compartments, and the lid part 42 may include a block 56 of resilient foam material, again to protect the apparatus contained in the case. Figures 7 (a) , (b) and (c) show three interconnecting elements, each of which comprises at least one channel 70 in which the edge of a wall element can be received, and a pair of inwardly facing rib members 72 at the edge of the channel which can fit into respective groves 13a in the wall element of the type shown in Figure 1 when received in the channel. In this way, it is possible to connect wall elements generally as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The resulting connected wall elements have X-shaped, T-shaped, and L-shaped configurations respectively. Figures 8 (a) , (b) and (c) show interconnecting elements which can be used to connect wall elements generally in the configurations provided by the elements in the corresponding Figures 7 (a) , (b) and (c) . Each of the interconnecting elements includes a channel 74 in which the edge of a wall element can be received. Each of the channels has a plurality of ribs 76 formed in it. Each of the ribs is generally pointed when viewed in cross-section. The elements shown in Figure 8 can be used to connect wall elements without the ribs having to engage grooves in the wall elements. Accordingly, the inter¬ connecting elements can be used to connect wall elements without grooves, or to connect wall elements with grooves in which the grooves are not located appropriately.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. Apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments, which comprises at least two wall elements and an element by which the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall element, at least one of the interconnecting element and the wall elements including at least one formation which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a direction substantially parallel to the said mating edge and which resist separation of the wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the said mating edge. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the said formation comprises a rib provided on one of the inter¬ connecting element and a wall element, which extends in use substantially parallel to the said mating edge. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the interconnecting element has a plurality of ribs formed in it which engage the surface of the wall element . 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the ribs of the interconnecting element deform or cut the surface of the wall element to form grooves receiving the ribs. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, which includes a groove on one of the interconnecting element and the wall element to receive a corresponding rib on the other of the interconnecting element and the wall element . 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the wall element has grooves formed in it on opposite sides thereof, and the interconnecting element provides a channel and a pair of opposed rib members which fit respective grooves in the wall element when the wall element is received in the channel . 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the wall element has a plurality of the said grooves formed in it in a substantially uniform array, on opposite sides thereof. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the material of the surfaces of the wall element is less rigid than the material of the interconnecting element where it engages the said surfaces and allowing the ribs to engage and to cut grooves into the deformable material . 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the surface of one of the interconnecting element and the wall element which engages the other of the said elements is formed from a resiliently deformable material. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the wall element includes a surface layer of a resiliently deformable material. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the surface layer material of the wall element comprises a foam. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which the wall element comprises a rigid core. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the core of the wall element is formed by extrusion of a polymeric material . 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the core of the wall element is formed as a hollow box section. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 , in which the interconnecting element provides a plurality of ribs which are generally pointed when viewed in cross-section. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the interconnecting element engages at least two mating edges of respective wall elements. 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the wall elements which engage the interconnecting element are arranged when interconnected substantially perpendicularly to one another. 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the wall elements which engage the interconnecting element are arranged when interconnected substantially in line with one another. 19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, in which the interconnecting element engages a wall element at a point between its ends, and the mating edge of another wall element, to connect the wall elements to form a branched configuration. 20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the height of the wall element is approximately equal to the height of the interconnecting element which is to engage it . 21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, which includes interconnecting elements to be located at the top and bottom edges respectively of the edge of a wall element that is to be connected to another wall element. 22. Apparatus for defining at least two separated compartments, which comprises at least two wall elements which include a surface layer of a resiliently deformable material, and an element by which the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall element, at least one of the inter¬ connecting element and the wall elements including at least one formation which allows the interconnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a direction substantially parallel to the said mating edge and which resist separation of the wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the said mating edge. 23. A toy which comprises apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22.

Inventors: THOMPSON MICHAEL NORMAN, THOMPSON, MICHAEL, NORMAN
Applicants: KINGSTON CASE CO LTD, THOMPSON MICHAEL NORMAN, KINGSTON CASE COMPANY LIMITED, THOMPSON, MICHAEL, NORMAN
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A47B88
IPC codes: A45C11, A45C13, A47B88